Towpath to new Marina

The canal towpath northwards from Audlem, now part of the Weaver Way, is getting busier and busier. This weekend, dozens were walking the mile or so along the canal to view the new Overwater Marina, which is due to open shortly.

As reported on Audlem Online, a new Coffee Lounge will be opening at the Overwater Marina with comfortable seating, a log fire for chilly winter days and a terrace looking out over the canal and surrounding countryside.

ProblemThere's just one problem. Despite a week's dry weather, the towpath is, in long stretches, very muddy and slippery. The Weaver Way, launched with great fanfare by the old Cheshire County Council who funded the Weaver Valley Regional Park, has clearly been successful in attracting walkers – but the towpath is now in a worrying state.

If Audlem is to attract business from the marina, and the marina and its new Coffee Lounge to see visitors from Audlem, something needs to be done to the towpath, and quickly.

QuestionnaireIn the recent Parish Plan questionnaire, Audlem residents were asked if they supported encouraging British Waterways to provide a surface suitable for walking and cycling to Nantwich on the canal towpath.

90% answered 'Yes', albeit a small number said they favoured 'walking' but not 'cycling' on the towpath.

Cheshire EastLast week, the Community Projects team of the Parish Plan, which includes three Audlem parish councillors, met Phillippa Brown, who is the Visitor Economy Development Manager for Cheshire East. Would the council support an improved towpath was one question raised.

Indeed, what is Cheshire East's view of the Weaver Valley project and the Weaver Way? These were Cheshire County Council funded projects and Audlem fought hard to be the southern gateway to the Weaver Way.

So, ss Cheshire East to continue the old County's support of an imaginative project that effects market towns and villages across central Cheshire? It's hoped the answer is positive as it's helpful for Audlem, as the successful launch of the Weaver Way in 2008 indicates.

However, judging by the current state of the towpath, and with the new marina soon to open, these are issues that need to be addressed by the authorities, and as soon as possible.

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